The second match of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup will be between England and Asian nation Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday afternoon. Both teams are in Group B and would need a win to kick off the tournament on the bright side.
England is regarded as one of the favourites to win the tournament due to their star-studded squad, but they need to start the competition with a win if they want to progress to the next round.
The Three Lions will face Iran, a team participating in the World Cup for the third time in a row. They are known to give top teams problems in their last two appearances.
England came close to winning the competition in Russia and would try again in Qatar, with Gareth Southgate keeping a crop of the players that participated in 2018 in the team. The addition of young talents to the squad would also help the three lions.
Iran was close to being excluded from the competition after the Ukrainian FA alleged that the Asian nation was supplying weapons to Russia for the ongoing war in Eastern Europe.
Iran has failed to qualify for the next round in their last two appearances. Carlos Queiroz’s side lost their last warm-up game against Tunisia 2-0 on Wednesday. This would be the first time both teams are facing each other.
England form (all competitions) ahead of the game: LDDLLD
Iran form (all competitions) ahead of the game: WLWDWL
Key Players
England: Harry Kane
The England national team captain is arguably the player most football fans are looking out for in this particular encounter. The Tottenham striker has been in great form since the start of the 2022-23 season.
The England striker won the golden boot at the last world cup in Russia and would hope to do the same in Qatar.
Bukayo Saka
The Arsenal winger is one of England’s best players going into this tournament. Rumour has it that he could start ahead of Manchester City’s Phil Foden against Iran.
Saka can create scoring chances for England strikers, and he is deadly in front of goal too.
Iran: Mehdi Taremi
The FC Porto striker is Iran’s star man in this competition and would be a threat to England’s defenders.
Taremi has scored 13 goals in 19 games this season, which means he’s in form ahead of the World Cup.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh
The former Brighton forward could play alongside Taremi in Iran’s attacking line. He currently plays for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie and will be participating in his third world cup.
Possible lineup
England: Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane
Iran: Beiranvand; Moharrami, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Mohammedi; Nourollahi, Ezatolahi, Hajsafi; Jahanbakhsh, Taremi, Amiri
Prediction: England would want to put their previous struggling form behind them, and will hope to start the competition with a win.
We predict over 2.5 goals or a win for England.
